How To Kick Start a Vibrant Creativity

A challenge for all who like art

My mind felt stuck in a rut. I had worked on spreadsheets, product descriptions, and data entry. My mind cried out for release.

In 1995 I decided to take an art class, even though I had not done any art since a grade nine art class (in which I had LOW marks).

The class I chose was a basics watercolour. It did not stimulate my mind. It taught only techniques.

A year later I took another one. A funny artist with a bold expression and fun ways to splash on watercolour. But I felt shy, hesitant. And I felt very very held back. My mind kept repeating those negative thoughts.

“You can’t do this.”

“Who are you kidding? You are no artist.”

“You are faking this. Give it up.”

I don’t really know the answer to this question. Every year, I took a week-long course at a school near our cottage. Every year I felt compelled to go but felt inadequate.

“Why is everyone else so good?”

“Why am I here?”

“I am not an artist.”

I met a young woman taking the same course. She was an art teacher. Oh my, that should have been terrifying. But she was very kind and you know what:

I laugh at that now. Here I was — a novice, and I was encouraging her — an artist. Addendum: She eventually gave up teaching art to become a full-time well-known artist.

That encounter spurred me on to take another course. And another. But the biggest change and challenge came in 2008.

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